Cellulose FAQ's   Listed below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about cellulose insulation. Feel free to submit your own questions through the "Contact Us" portion of this Web Site. We will publish new material as we receive it.   Can the All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution be installed over existing insulation? What are the thermal benefits of the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? What is R-value? What are the sound control benefits of the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? Is the All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution safe for the environment? What are the fire resistance characteristics of the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? What materials do I need to install the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? Are the fire-retardant chemicals used in the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System safe for humans? Is the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System a fire hazard?  Does the  fire retardant lose its effectiveness? Does the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System settle over time?  Does the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System insulation attract moisture? Is the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System insulation stable?  Does it remain effective as it ages? Is the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System insulation more expensive than fiberglass in professional applications? Can you install the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System in cathedral ceilings? Do you need special training to spray the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System?    Can All Tech Insulation Cellulose System be installed over existing insulation? All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is ideally suited to providing additional R-value over existing insulation, as it completely fills voids and gaps open by other forms of insulation. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System also can be installed in existing uninsulated exterior walls through various methods. There is no cutting, no fitting and no hauling insulation up to the attic. Just pour it in and blow it out.   Top of page   What are the thermal benefits of All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is a denser product, providing better barrier protection to reduce air infiltration and convection currents. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System fills gaps and voids eliminating air leaks. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System has a higher R-value per inch than most other types of insulation. This means more insulating with less material and less money. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System will not lose thermal value over time. Accelerated aging tests (CAN/CGSB-51.60 M-90) performed on All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution have shown there is no noticeable degradation over time. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System also retains R-value in cold temperatures. Top of page   What is R-value? (also see Insulation Factors K, C, U, R page) R-value is the standard for measuring a material's insulating power. The higher the R-value, the better the material insulates. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System has a higher R-value per inch than other insulating materials, according to the US Department of Energy The R-value Rule: R-value means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Compare insulation R-values before you buy. There are other factors to consider. The amount of insulation you need depends mainly on the climate, the type and size of your house, and your fuel use patterns and family size. If you buy too much insulation, it will cost you more than what you'll save on fuel. To get the marked R-value, it is essential that this insulation be installed properly. The Federal Trade Commission R-value rule and accepted industry standards require All Tech Insulation Cellulose System to be specified and sold at settled density. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System coverage charts indicate the amount of material that must be installed to produce the specified R-value-settling is already built into the charts. R-value is one factor that affects the energy efficiency of a home. Studies of actual buildings show that All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution-insulated buildings use as much as 26% less energy than similar buildings insulated with other insulations at the same R-value. One reason for this is the ability of All Tech Insulation Cellulose System to control air infiltration.   Top of page   What are the sound control benefits of All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? The same density in All Tech Insulation Cellulose System that protects you in a fire absorbs the noise you don't want to hear. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System's ability to fill gaps and voids creates a quieter home by reducing noise transmission. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is approved as an enhanced sound control material for homes located in airport flight paths. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System has a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.90 according to ASTM C-423-84a. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System suppresses sound transmission because the density is two to three times greater than other insulation products, completely filling any cavity into which it is properly installed. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System eliminates voids and gaps that are convenient avenues for sound to travel. Top of page   Is All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution safe for the environment? All Tech Insulation Cellulose System consists of 85% recycled paper fiber, at least 80% recovered, post-consumer paper content. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is not manufactured with any formaldehyde, asbestos, mineral fiber or fiberglass. The borates added to All Tech Insulation Cellulose System to provide flame resistance are six times less toxic to humans than common table salt. The average home insulated with All Tech Insulation Cellulose System recycles the equivalent of 460 Wall Street Journals and prevents atmospheric release of 598 lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions. Newsprint is one of the largest single components of the residential waste stream. Insulating a typical 1,500-sq. ft. ranch-style home with All Tech Insulation Cellulose System productively recycles as much newsprint as an individual will consume in 40 years. This is based on data from the National Solid Waste Management Association. If America's homes were insulated with All Tech Insulation Cellulose Solution, over 3.2 million tons of waste newsprint would be removed from the refuse stream every year and put to productive energy use conserving vital energy resources. This projection is based on 1.5 million new homes with an average area of 1,500 sq. ft, insulated to R-30 in the attics and R-13 in the sidewalls. If more stringent standards, such as those of the Model Energy Code were followed, even more recyclable material would be removed from the waste stream. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is produced in electrically driven mills, requiring less energy to produce. Other types of insulation are produced in furnaces that use natural gas and release greenhouse gases. Top of page   What are the fire resistance characteristics of All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? All Tech Insulation Cellulose System has a Class 1 fire rating as determined by ASTM E84 testing. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is treated with fire retardants that exceed test requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard 16 CFR parts 1209 and 1404. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is non-flammable when tested for smoldering combustion. The borates added to All Tech Insulation Cellulose System to provide flame resistance are six times less toxic to humans than common table salt. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System meets all test requirements of ASTM-C739 (US), CAN/ULC-S703 in Canada, federal specification HHI-515E and all FHA, VA, HUD and building code requirements. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is permitted as a fire block under Sec. 708.2.1 of the Uniform Building Code (ICC ER-2833). All Tech Insulation Cellulose System meets Underwriters Laboratories (UL) testing and is Classified for the following properties:  Density, Moisture Vapor Sorption, Thermal Resistance, Corrosiveness, Surface Burning Characteristics. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System passes these additional tests:  Odor Emission, Separation of Chemicals, Flame Spread Permanency, Fungi Resistance, Smolder Resistance. All Tech Insulation Cellulose System resists fire longer than other types of insulation. In a test conducted at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, the structure with All Tech Insulation Cellulose System stood more than 55% longer than the other insulated structure with fiberglass. Top of page   What materials do I need to install All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? Dust mask Tape measure 12 ga extension cord Eave baffles and fixture barriers if not already in place Blower and hose - see sales associate for details Top of page   Are the fire-retardant chemicals used in the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System safe for humans? The borates added to the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System® provide flame resistance and are non-toxic.  It contains no formaldehyde, asbestos or fiberglass.  You can install it without itchy skin irritations.  All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is not a potential carcinogen. Top of page   Is the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System a fire hazard because it is made from old newspapers?  Does the  fire retardant lose its effectiveness as the product ages? the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is manufactured under Consumer Product Safety Commission performance criteria mandating fire safety standards.  The All Tech Insulation Cellulose System products are Class 1 fire rated building materials, and exceed the tough fire safety standards set by the CPSC.  According to tests, All Tech Insulation Cellulose System increases a wall’s fire resistance 22-55% as compared to fiberglass – this means you have more time to safely leave your home in the event of a fire.  All Tech Insulation uses only permanent fire retardant chemicals that have proven their ability to impart long-term flame resistance to All Tech Insulation Cellulose System over years of laboratory and field-testing.  In addition, All Tech Insulation  loose-fill and stabilized insulation products are listed for use both as building insulation and as a fire block.  See ICC Evaluation Report ER-2833. Top of page   Does the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System settle over time?  All loose-fill insulation settles after installation.  By federal law and industry standards, All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is specified and sold at settled density.  The bag count and weight of material on the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System coverage charts provides precise information on the amount of material that must be installed to produce the specified R-Value.  It is not necessary to install more material than is indicated to compensate for settling – that is already built into the All Tech Insulation coverage charts.  Top of page   Does All Tech Insulation Cellulose System attract moisture? the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System does not attract moisture, but the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System fibers have a natural ability to handle moisture.  Moisture vapor in the air is absorbed and released depending upon the relative humidity of the surrounding air.  the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System fibers retain a natural moisture level between 5-8% by weight, and as much as 15% has no effect on the thermal insulating characteristics.  Many authorities believe the demonstrated ability of All Tech Insulation Cellulose System to control moisture transport by eliminating air infiltration makes vapor barriers unnecessary when All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is installed.  All Tech Insulation does not recommend the use of a vapor barrier, as they add virtually nothing to the performance of the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System.  Top of page   Is All Tech Insulation Cellulose System stable?  Does it remain effective as it ages?  The All Tech Insulation Cellulose System will remain stable if used according to the installation instructions, and is supported by a All Tech Insulation guarantee for the life of the structure.  The All Tech Insulation Cellulose System is approved by: International Conference of Building Officials (ICC) Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA); and Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)  All Tech Insulation Cellulose System has met or exceeded the strict standards required for insulation manufacturers.  We even take the extra step to assure quality by having our product tested by third-party testing facilities.  Examples of required and voluntary standards tests performed on All Tech Insulation Cellulose System:  American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ASTM specification C-739 (Critical Radiant Flux and Smoldering Combustion) ASTM C-423-84A – Sound Absorption ASTM E-84 – Flame Spread ASTM C-518 – R-Value Federal Trade Commission R-Value Rule Consumer Products Safety Commission Safety Standard 16 CFR Part 1209 Underwriters Laboratory NAHB National Research Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory  Top of page   Do you need a special mask to install All Tech Insulation Cellulose System? We do recommend that a dust mask be worn.  However, All Tech Insulation Cellulose System does not harm your health in any way.   Yes, you may get a little dirty or dusty, but the dust settles quickly and the paper fibers are easier to clean up than fiberglass particles.  There are no irritating fiberglass particles that may contaminate your clothing, furniture and carpets.   Top of page   Is All Tech Insulation Cellulose System more expensive than fiberglass in professional applications? The All Tech Insulation Cellulose System will always give you the best value for your money.  Your savings will be realized through lower energy bills as long as you own your home.  Your investment in the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System pays for itself month after month.   Top of page Can you install the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System in cathedral ceilings? All Tech Insulation Cellulose System can be installed in cathedral ceilings using normal dry-fill application methods.  However, you will be using more the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System, as you will need to get the insulation as dense as possible.  the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System loose-fill insulation is installed into its final position using a pneumatic device. The insulation may be applied to sloped attic floors, regardless of slope.   Top of page   Do you need special training to spray the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System?  Yes, installers do need to be trained before installing the All Tech Insulation Cellulose System.  All Tech Insulation believes in partnering with you in the training investment of your employees and your future growth.  Your worker’s can be trained in a minimum of three days by one of our Service Technicians and can receive additional in-field training by multi-lingual training associates.    Top of page Tips Do not fill soffits with insulation. Use soffit vent baffles to allow the soffit to stay open above the insulation for proper air flow. Insulate the inside of the access hole cover with batt or foam board insulation to complete the job. CAUTION: To help avoid fire: Keep insulation at least 3 inches away from the sides of recessed light fixtures. Do not place insulation over such fixtures so as to trap heat. Also keep insulation away from exhaust flues of furnaces, water heaters, space heaters or other heat-producing devices. To be sure that insulation is kept away from light fixtures and flues, use a barrier to permanently maintain clearance around these items. Check with local building or fire officials for guidance on installation.   If you don't see your solution listed, contact an All Tech Insulation engineer today (989-826-9999) for a deeper discussion about your insulation requirements.